-
Sunshots by Michael Hall Jabriel Martin grins from ear to ear after receiving his diploma Saturday, July 18, at Hart County High School during the pandemic-postponed graduation ceremony. -
Emma Jones, center, hugs graduates Kate Hobson, left, and Morgan Terrell, right, following Saturday’s ceremony. -
Shaniya Blackwell throws her cap with the rest of the Class of 2020 following the ceremony. -
Miyann Vaca, center, turns the tassel on her cap to end the 2020 graduation ceremony at Hart County High School on Saturday. -
Sunshots by Michael Hall Kaylee Todd, center, waves at family in the audience while fanning herself as the morning sun grew hotter Saturday during Hart County High School’s graduation ceremony. -
Hart County High School Valedictorian Samuel Garringer speaks during Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Hart County High School. -
Demy NeSmith takes a photo of the crowd from her socially distanced seat on the field at Herndon Stadium prior to the 2020 Hart County High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 28.
Senior year for the Hart County High School Class of 2020 was far from normal, but as valedictorian Samuel Garringer noted Saturday at a pandemic-postponed graduation ceremony, “normal is boring.”
He kept being told how sad people were for he and his classmates because their final semester didn’t end normally.
“Normal, who cares about normal? Normal is boring,” Garringer told his socially distanced classmates sitting on the field at Herndon Stadium on July 18 and their families who watched from the stands.
The challenges presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic were many for the 2020 seniors, but Garringer said they will only make his class stronger.
“I see it as an opportunity for this to be the greatest class ever at Hart County High School not because of anything we did in high school, but because of the attitude with which we leave here today,” he said.
He urged his classmates to follow God’s plan for them and to listen to Him, even when the plans don’t go how they would like.
“Some of the things God does don’t make sense to us,” Garringer said.
Salutatorian Emilee Williams said throughout their years in school, she and her classmates laughed, loved, got into trouble, but most of all matured. That maturity and the challenges overcome are what will lead to bright futures, she said.
“I no longer see (this class) as what they were, but what they will become,” Williams said.
Third-honor graduate Taniyah Fouch said the derailed senior year will not erase the great memories made with friends.
“This is certainly not the ending that we dreamed of,” Fouch said. “Who would have thought that spring sports would have been canceled, face-to-face instruction would end in March and our senior prom would be canceled.”
Still though, the senior song, “You’re Gonna Miss This,” by Trace Adkins, hits the nail on the head, she said.
“It is now time for us to make our impressions on the world,” Fouch said.
Senior-class president John Gordy said 2020 was supposed to be a year full of happiness and good times.
“Instead it became the wildest year we have lived, and it’s only half way done,” Gordy said.
Hart County High School principal Kevin Gaines thanked the families, parents and everyone who supported the graduates. He also urged the graduates to find something they love and go after it.
“Whatever you do in the future, pursue your passion,” Gaines said.